School Special Election
June 9, 2026
WBSD7 will hold a school district election in June 2026. While no school board seats are scheduled for election this year, voters will still see two questions on the ballot.
This page explains why the election is being held and what the ballot questions mean.
Why Is There an Election This Year?
School district elections are sometimes required even when no board seats are up for election.
In June 2026, voters will be asked to consider:
A proposal related to school board term structure
A required public question about publishing school board meeting minutes in the official newspaper
Ballot Question 1 Overview
Note: Official ballot questions will be added soon.
School Board Term Structure
In 2021, District 7 was created when Districts 1 and 8 merged. (See the reorganization plan here)
When the districts combined, school board terms were staggered to establish a rotation of elections. Because of how those terms were arranged, the district now has a cycle where:
Three board seats are up for election in one cycle
Four seats are up for election in the next
The School Board has been reviewing whether this structure is the best long-term approach.
Why This Matters
In certain years, the current structure could result in a majority of the board changing at the same time. When several members leave at once, it can make it harder to maintain continuity and institutional knowledge.
What the Proposal Would Do
The proposal on the ballot would adjust the structure going forward so that elections would typically include two or three seats in a given year, rather than three one cycle and four the next.
This approach could help maintain consistent leadership and smoother transitions over time.
Ballot Question 2 Overview
Note: Official ballot questions will be added soon.
Publishing Board Meeting Minutes
North Dakota law requires districts to periodically ask voters whether school board meeting minutes should be published in the official newspaper.
More Information
Additional information about the June 2026 school district election will be shared as the date approaches.
The district encourages community members to stay informed and participate in the election process.
Absentee Ballots can be completed at the District Office at 820 E Broadway, Monday, June 8 from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
The official ballot will be available April 30, 2026.
Anyone wanting to vote in this election via Absentee Ballot will need to complete the Absentee Ballot Application (SFN 51468).
An Absentee Ballot Drop-Box will be accessible at the Williston Basin School District #7 District Office starting April 30, 2026. Absentee ballots must be returned to WBSD7 District Office in person by 4:30 PM on 6/8/26 at 820 E Broadway, Williston, ND or by mail to PO Box 1407, Williston, ND 58802 (postmarked by 6/8/26. If mailing on this date, you must ask for it to be "hand-canceled". Hand canceling is a postal step that puts a manual postmark on an envelope at the post office counter instead of letting a machine stamp it later).
If you submitted an absentee ballot application but have not received your ballot within 7–10 days, please contact the WBSD7 District Office. Staff can verify that your application was received and discuss next steps.
2026 | |
|---|---|
April 30 | First Day for Absentee Ballots |
May 29 | Last Day WBSD7 will Mail out Absentee Ballots |
June 8 | Last Day for Absentee Ballots |
June 9 | In-Person Voting |
Adults residing within Williston Basin School District #7 boundaries have the opportunity to vote in this election, regardless of their location within the district.
Please visit the Williston Basin School District #7 Boundary Map to see if your place of residence is located within WBSD7.